John Kelley

John Roland Kelley, formerly of Butte, met his Lord and savior, Jesus on July 1, 2014. John died at his residence in Great Falls, surrounded by his sisters and close family.Johns family extends a warm invitation to friends to join the family for the funeral liturgy at noon on July 10, 2014 at St. Anns Cathedral in Great Falls, with Father Oliver Doyle presiding. Immediately following Mass the family invites friends to a Celebration of Life, co-sponsored by the Kelley family and Johns Walleye friends, at Tuffys Sunset Inn, in Sun Prairie. A memorial service and Mass will be held in Butte at a later date.John was born July 31, 1944 in Ogden, Utah to Dr. J.E. Kelley, a Butte Optometrist, and Margaret Gaddie of Sugar City, Utah. John married Phyllis Spencer in 1965; they were wed for 19 years.John attended Catholic schools in Butte, starting with St. Anns grade school, graduating from Butte Central in 1962 and from Montana State University in 1973 in Agricultural Science. John spent the first six years of his post college career as a Clinical Technician with the Lionhead Guest Ranch near Big Timber, where he became one of the few veterinary clinicians in the U.S., conducting embryo transplants to extend cattle genetics.Johns early hobbies included hunting, fishing, snowmobiling as well as riding in rodeos. He loved bucking broncos, steer wrestling, and roping. After several years with Cooper Pharmaceuticals, John moved to Billings, then to Great Falls in 1992 to manage Western Ranch Supply, specializing in the use of pharmaceuticals to improve farming and ranching.Since his retirement in 2009, John dedicated his energies to the Walleyes mission; building fish habitats in Tiber and other reservoirs, teaching kids to fish as a way to stay off drugs, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. He was a strong advocate for the free fishing pole/free tackle box programs, helping distribute thousands of fishing poles to deserving kids throughout the state. During his tenure as President, John also strongly supported the fight against Invasive Species, an initiative also sponsored by Walleyes. He was a spokesman for this initiative, as seen on local TV "public" service announcements.These past few months while fighting cancer, John was inundated with visitors, calls and emails wishing him well. His incredibly unique sense of humor; his ability to form life long friendships; his dedication to doing the right thing for the right reasons as he was inspired to do as an altar boy, set John apart.Whether it is in the world of farming or ranching, hunting or fishing, recreation or conservation, friends or neighbors, he will surely be missed.John enjoyed very much the friendships he made during three terms as President of Walleyes Unlimited, Great Falls Chapter. He was currently serving as the President of the State of Montana Walleye Association.He lived according to principles such as: Do the right things for the right reasons. Keep fish and fishing alive. Make friends with everyone you meet.John is survived by his sisters, Colleen (Kelley) Murray and husband, Don of Eugene OR, and their children Julie Fulton, Sean, and Kevin and 7 grandchildren; Patricia (Kelley) Nicholls and husband Phil of Surprise, AZ, children Heather Nudo and Allison, and 2 grandchildren; Karren (Kelley) Hughs-Pasco of Henderson, Nevada, children Brian, and Chris Hughs, and 2 grandchildren; Michelle (Kelley) Franich and husband Jack of Black Diamond, WA, their children Jody, Jeff, and Megan, and 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; Denise (Kelley) Seilstad and husband Scott of Denton, their children Kelly Markovich, and Kendra; half-sister Kimberly (Kelley) and husband Loren LeFebre of Great Falls, her children, Zachary, Rebecca and Chay; and Johns former spouse, Phyllis (Spencer) now of Big Timber.He is preceded in death by his parents; and son John Vance.In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Walleye Unlimited Great Falls Chapter, P.O. Box 937, Great Falls, MT 59403.As one of his friends said so well, If friends were dollars, John would be a millionaire.